Captain, USAF HQ Air Force Space Command/LKX Peterson AFB, CO 80914-5001 and David P. H d g h a k e , Captain, USAF HQ Tactical Air Command/SCX Langley AFB, VA 23665 INTRODUCX'ION BACKGROUNDIn recent years, the use of computers in the military has increased tremendously. The data they store and process has become essential to mission accomplishment both in-garrison and when deployed in a tactical environment. This trend has created a need for fast, reliable, and efficient communication of information within and between deployed tactical units. Some of these communication needs arc similar to the needs of the civilian sector, while others are unique to the military environment. Many commeraally available architectures exist for networking computers. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standardized three major types of Local Area Networks (LANs): &er Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection (CSMA/CD), Token Bus, and Token Ring. Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) is a fiber optic version of the token ring currently undergoing standardization. Questions arise: how can we meet the data communication needs of the military? Should we choose one or several LAN architectures? Do any of the L A N s currently in use meet the critical needs for timing and reliability?Dependence on computers and networks to perform tasks, make critical calculations, store, and manipulate data has become a reality in today's armed forces. A LAN is a means of communication that connects automated data processing equipment and peripherals in a specific area. Networkmg allows the sharing of data, software applications, and peripheral devices such as printers and plotters. Offices throughout the civilian and military communities use L A N s to improve the UtiiiZation efficiency of data and equipment resources. LANs also link to larger computers or other networks toshare their resources.Deployable systems may be defined as those systems designed to be transported away from their normal base for semi-fmed or mobile tactical missions. These computer systems usually perform very spedfic tasks for a small community of users. The systems rely on local information transfer between deployed sites or from such sites to semi-fned locations. If one does not perform proper planning and correct system selection, a network can turn from a force multiplier into an Achilles' heeL Computer networks cannot be allowed to be the weak link in accompldmg a deployed military mission.In this paper, the authors explore unique needs and Network architechue selection involves user requirerequirements of deployed tactical units and assess some ments, technical, physical, and economic factors. This commercially available architectures. Finally, the paper will d e s m i deployability issues regarding LAN% authors provide recommendations. No single definitive review the primary components of LAN% and review answer exists. A more defintive answer would require and assess the primary LAN standards. Finally, the an in-depth study of specific mission ...

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